Newcastle United were pushed all the way by Bolton Wanderers at St James' Park but were ultimately 2-0 victors thanks to the inspirational Hatem ben Arfa, who scored a brilliant solo goal with less than twenty minutes to go. Before then, the visitors might have had the better of the chances, threatening Tim Krul's net on several occasions with an attacking intent that belied their status as serious relegation candidates.
Ben Arfa turned that all around in the 73rd minute, however, spinning past his man on the halfway line, skipping past a desperate challenge, going through David Wheater like he wasn't there and then placing a perfect shot into Adam Bogdan's bottom corner. Bolton were stunned - it was an absolutely brilliant effort, but they probably didn't deserve to be behind - but in their quest for an equaliser they left themselves open to more punishment, which is exactly what the suspiciously offside-looking Papiss Cisse inflicted ten minutes after the opener.
The Magpies are very much in the race for fourth now. Bolton, meanwhile, are just one point clear of the drop zone.


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